CAGAYAN DE ORO—Ric Organiza made her elder sister Christine Hallasgo proud as they turned the men’s and women’s 21-kilometer run of the 2024 7-Eleven Run series into a family affair on a cool, rainy pre-dawn Sunday morning here.
Organiza ran his fastest time ever, with his clocking of one hour, 10 minutes and six seconds regarded as the best overall time in this year’s race. He outpaced a struggling Southeast Asian Games’ medallist Arlan Arbois when he finally reached the Vicente Roa St. finish line.
“Kabisado ko po ang ruta,” said the 21-year-old Organiza, a criminology student from Jose Rizal University, after he came up with his good showing on the second half-marathon competition he has joined.
Preparations and plans of the 23-year-old Arbois to head north for the Manila leg were thrown off by floods in his hometown in Davao City, his family’s eventual evacuation and the repairs he had to do to his damaged home last Thursday.
Arbois, a silver medallist in the 2023 SEA Games, almost succumbed to leg cramps at the halfway mark, but still settled for second spot with a good time of 1:12.39.
“Nakuha ko pa rin ang time ko kahit nasira ang conditioning ko. Hindi ako nakapag-ensayo dahil bumaha ng Thursday, nag-evacuate kami ng madaling araw, at naglinis pagkatapos. Hindi na ako pumunta sa Manila leg pagkatapos. Nakiusap na lang ako sa organizer na dito na ako tumakbo,” said Arbois.
Glad that he was able to stay within range of his personal best, Arbois said he will use the prize money to repair and help others whose homes were damaged by flood waters in his home in San Rafael, Davao City.
His townmate Elmer Bartolo, whose home was also damaged by floods in Davao City, settled for third in 1:17.58.
Hallasgo, one of the country’s top marathon runners, chose to take it easy, waking up from a restful sleep some 10 minutes before gun time, and coasted to the finish line with an easy pace.
The Malaybalay, Bukidnon-based Hallasgo reached the rain-drenched finish line in Vicente Roa St. in 1:23.55, also the event’s overall best, as she strode to the finish line all by herself and with confidence.
“Dati ko nang dinadaanan itong ruta. Sakto lang ang time ko. Hindi pa masyadong nasa kundisyon. Malayo pa ang SEA Games. Sabi ko sa kanya (Ric), mag-focus siya sa target time niya. Nakuha naman niya,” said the 31-year-old year old Hallasgo, while keeping an eye on Ric’s progress during her time on the road.
It was one of Hallasgo’s best outings since taking the bronze medal in the Cambodia SEA Games, after joining the Asian half marathon championships in Dubai last October.
What made Hallasgo even happier was that she and brother will be together for the first time competing abroad as organizers have also offered slots to international races around the Southeast Asian region to podium finishers.
Meanwhile, Florendo Lapiz emerged as the overall winner of the men’s 42-km run after finishing the Manila leg of the footraces held simultaneously in the weekend in the cities of Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.
Lapiz clocked 2:33.13, to end up with a better time against Cagayan de Oro top bet Ramil Neri and James Cruz, who took second and third, respectively. Maricar also dominated the race in Manila for the women’s top honors.
Richard Salano ruled the overall men’s 32-km run following his gold medal finish at the Quirino Grandstand, while Lizanne Abella topped the women’s side.